Earth surfacing machine



Sept. 9, 1941. F. JOHNSON EARTH SURFACING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1940 e Sheets-Sheetl Filed June 5, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 9, 1941. F. JOHNSON EARTH SURFACING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 4' Frilfz Jo/Znson I Sept. 9, 1941. F. JOHNSON EARTH SURFACING MACHINE Filed June 3, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 9, 1941. F. JOHNSON EARTH SURFACING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 3, 1940 Frizz fo/wzso n Patented Sept. 9, 19 41 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9Claims.

This invention relates to an earth surfacing I machine.

The invention'aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to including means capable of not only acting as a scraper but also as a land leveller.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to including a scraper element capable of being elevated from and lowered to engage the earth when; occasion requires and further capable of being releasably maintained ir its elevated or lowered position.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth. a machine of the class referred toincluding a scraper element and lengthwise adjustable lifting means for said element.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter referred to, a machine for the purpose set forth including an element for scraping and ground levelling and with means correlated with said element for increasing the extent of its action on the ground when levelling the latter.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine for the purpose referred to including axle carrying traction wheels, a scraper element and adjustable means correlating with said axle for controlling the bite of the scraper element.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to including an angularly disposed means for lifting and lowering a scraper element and with said means capable of being adjusted to any degree of angularity as is desired.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to including traction wheels, a scraper element and a lift for the latter controlled by means of hydraulic brakes correlated with the traction wheels of the machine.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to including safety provisions for the scraper element for road travel.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine for the purpose referred to formed of a forward assembly including a scraper element for action on the ground, a rear assembly pivotally supporting the front assembly and including traction wheels, hydraulic brakes correlated with said wheels, the rear assembly elevating said element clear of theground, and with the front assembly including hydraulically operated means connected to the rear assembly for releasbly maintaining the scraper element in its inactive (raised) and active (lowered) positions.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine for the purpose referred to which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly eflicient in its use, readily assembled, conveniently adjusted, permitting of extra and unusual weight on its draw bar to thereby provide for better traction of pulling power, readily assembled and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Embodying the aims aforesaid and others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein are shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may 30 be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the when in inactive position, 1

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof,

Figure 3 is a rear elevation, of the machine in inactive position,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section of the machine with the scraperelement 40 elevated, o

Figure 5* is a detail partly in and horizontal section,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view partly in side elevation and in lengthwise section of a modified 45 form of ground working machine in accordance with this invention,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in top plan of still another modified form of a ground work ing machine in accordance with this invention,

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view ofthe structure shown by Figure '7, l

Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the control mechanism,

machine rear elevation Figure 10 is a side elevation of the master" c cylinder for the hydraulic braking system cor-' wheels to thereby provide, on the braking of the related with the traction wheels of the machine,

Figure 11 is a sectional detail illustrating the manner in which an adjustable wedge is arranged,

Figure 12 is a section on line I2l2 Figure 9,

Figure 13 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the supporting structure for a pair of forwardly extending pull rods correlated with the master cylinder of the braking mechanism and the control mechanism of the machine,

Figure 14 is a fragmentary view in section on line I'4I4, Figure 13,

Figure 15 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section and side elevation of the machine illustrating the traction wheels elevated,

Figure 16 is a side elevation of the form of pull rod employed for operating the controlling and braking mechanisms, and

Figure 17 is a fragmentary view in rear elevation of the weighting means for the front assembly of the machine.

A machine, in accordance with this invention, is to have provisions to therebyprovide for it being capable of being drawn by an automotive vehicle, such as a tractor, or by a horse. There is illustrated three forms of the machine, one is designated A, Figure 2, another B, Figure 6, and the other C, Figure 7.

Each form of the machine includes a front assembly I and a rear assembly 2. The assembly 2 is pivotally supported at its top at the rear of the assembly I. The assembly 2 is adjustably connected to and is normally disposed at an inclination with respect to assembly I. The normal inclination of the assembly 2 is rearwardly from its bottom to its top.

The assembly I includes a pair of oppositely disposed upper frame bars 3, 4 of like form each consisting of a rear horizontal portion 5 and a forward portion 3 inclining downwardly and inwardly from rear to front. The bars 3, 4 are formed from suitable metallic tubing and each has its portion 5 of greater length than its portion 6. The portions 5 of the bars 3, 4 are disposed in parallel spaced relation and have secured thereon in proximity to their rear ends aligned spaced sleeves I disposed in a like plane at right angles to the planes of said portions 8.

The assembly I includes a frame bar 3, which is arranged below, disposed at right angles to and extends laterally in opposite directions from the bars 3, 4. Positioned over the bar 3 and arranged between the bars 3, 4 is a draw-bar 3 formed of a rear horizontal portion I and a downwardly inclined front portion II. The draw-bar 3 is formed of suitable metallic tubing. The said portion III is disposed in parallel spaced relation to and is of less length than the portions of the bars 3,4. The front terminal parts of the said portions 6 are arranged against and secured to the outer periphery of opposite sides of the front terminal part of the portion II of the draw-bar 3. The latter in its front terminal part is formed with a vertical furcation or groove I2 in which is arranged the rear portion of a vertically disposed plate I3. The latter is fixedly secured to, extends above, depends below and projects forwardly from the front terminus of said draw-bar 3. The plate I3 (Figure 1) in proximity to its front vertical edge is formed with a vertically extending row of superposed openings I4. Correlated with the plate I3 is a pair of superposed removable attaching devices I5 (Figure 1) for passage through selected openings I4. The plate I3 in connection with the said devices I5 provide for coupling a vertically ad- Justable hitch I6 with the draw-bar 3. The hitch I3 (Figure 2) includes a rear yoke I'I overlapping plate I3, disposed on one of its side edges and having each of its sides formed with superposed openings I!- for alignment with selected openings I4. The hitch I3 includes a forward yoke I3 disposed at right angles to the yoke IT. The yoke I8 has .its .arms I3 formed with aligned openings 20 for receiving means, not shown; for coupling the hitch to a tractor for pulling the machine, or for connecting the hitch to a dolly truck 2I (Figure 6) when the machine is to be pulled by a horse. The openings in the sides of the yoke II which align with selected openings I4 have the attaching devices I5 extend therethrough for securing-the hitch I6 in its vertically adjusted position relative to plate I3.

The assembly I includes a set of spaced aligned couplers 22 which overlap and are secured to the portions 5 and III of the bars 3, 4 and 3. The couplers 22 are seated on the bar 3 and also extend from the said portions 3, III. The couplers 22 are also secured to the bar 3. The latter is arranged in proximity to the forward ends of said portions 5, I3 of the bars 3, 4 and 3.

The assembly I includes a ground working element 23 which functions as a scraper or a leveller. The element 23 is open at its top, front and bottom. The element 23 comprising a curved back 24, which in vertical section corresponds to the segment of a circle, a transversely curved blade 25 secured to the forward face of the back 24 at the lower terminal portion of the latter and a pair of spaced parallel side cheeks 28 of like form secured to the sides of said back and extending forwardly of the latter. The rear ends of said cheeks correspond in curvature to that of the back. The blade 25 is arranged between and depends below the bottom edges of said back and side cheeks. The lower terminal portions of the side cheeks are provided with the reinforcements 21. The side cheeks 26, at their upper ends abut the ends of and are secured to said bar 3. The back 24 has secured thereto and extended from each side thereof .a hinge-member 24. The side cheeks 26 are formed with aligned openings 26. Oppositely disposed rearwardly inclined braces 23 are secured at their inner ends to and extend downwardly from the portions 6 of the bars 3, 4 and have their outer ends secured to the inner faces of said side cheeks in proximity to the front and bottom edges of said cheeks. The rear face of the back 24 of element 23, at the upper end of such face has secured thereto a reinforcing member 29, which is arranged below the portions 5 of the bars 3, 4 and the rear end of the portion III of bar 3. Couplers 33 are securedto the member 23 and overlap and are secured to the portions 5 of the bars 3, 4 whereby the element 23, member 23 and bars 3, 4 are secured together. The rear end of the portion III of bar 3 is beveled, as at 33, (Figure 4) to form a clearance for a cradle to be referred to. The bar 3 in connection with the couplers 22 connect the element 23 and bars 3, 4, 3 and 3 together.

The member 29 constitutes a support and has secured to its upper face a pair of spaced parallel upstanding angle-shaped posts 3| in which the oppositely disposed trunnions 32 of a pivotal cradle 33 are journaled and attached. The cradie 33 is arranged above, disposed in transverse relation and extends forwardly and rearwardly with respect to member 23. The cradle 33 is of semi-cylindrical contour in transverse cross section and is provided lengthwise of its top of its sides (Figure 12) with a pair of spaced parallel barrels 34 in which are arranged coupling bolts 34- for a-purpose to be referred to. The bolts 34* extend from the ends of said barrels 34.

The assembly I includes the master cylinder 35 of a hydraulic braking system, which is common to the traction wheels 36, 31 of the assembly 2. The hydraulic pressure conducting line of said system is indicated at 36 and leads from one side of the front end of the cylinder 35 to 39 and it is connected to said lever 39' and to the bracket 39",- as shown.

The assembly I includes a hydraulic pressure control means 49' for releasably maintaining the element 23 in its lowered or elevated position. The said means includes a cylinder 4| (Figure 10) having a pair of oppositely disposed laterally extending apertured ears 42 at each end for the passage of the coupling bolts 34 to connect the cylinder 4| to the cradle 33, whereby the cylinder 4| bodily moves with the cradle. Nuts 42 are employed for maintaining the cylinder 4| on the bolts 34 and connected to cradle 39.

The latter is employed for disposing cylinder 4| at the desired inclination when selectively controlling the desired elevated'or lowered position of the element 23. The means 49 (Figure 9) includes a piston 42 operating in cylinder 4|, an elongated piston rod 43 extending through and rearwardly from the rear head 4| of said cylinder. The body of cylinder 4| near its rear head is formed with an opening 43. A valved controlled and oil conducting line 44 has one end attached to the wall of said opening 43' and communicates with the interior of the cylinder 4 I.

The line 44 includes front and rear pipe sections 44 44 respectively disposed in angular relation, and a controlling valve mechanism 44 interposed between and connected to said sections. The mechanism 44 comprises a housing 44 having an open rear end, an axially apertured front wall 44, a nipple 44 at its top rearwardly of and in close proximity to said wall 44, a valve seat 44 therein intermediate its ends, a spring controlled pivoted check valve member 44 rearwardly of said seat and a spring controlled valve member or pusher rod shifter 44 extending through said wall 44 into the housing 44' and disposed axially of the latter. The front end of shifter 44 is provided lever arm 44 is pivoted intermediate its ends to a support 44* carried by cylinder 4|. The lever arm 44 includes upper and lower parts 44 44 respectively disposed in oflset relation. The part 49 is for the purpose of abutting the head 44 of shifter 44 for moving the latter in a rearward direction to open the valve member 44'. The purpose of the part 44' willbe hereinafter referred to. The pipe section 44* at its front end is connected to the rear end of and opens into an oil reserve tank 45. l

A check valve controlled structure 45 is employed for establishing communication between the outer portion oftank 45 and the outer end of the cylinder 4|. The structure 45* includes a tubular element 46 formed with branches 46, 46*, 46 and 46. The structure 45 includes a pipe 41 for establishing communication betweentank 45 and element 46. The pipe leads from tank 45 to branch 46. A nipple 41 leads from cylinder 4| to the rear end of element 46. The branches 46, 46 are closed by removable plugs 41". Arranged within element 46 in proximity to branch 46 is a check valve seat 41. Correlating with said seat 41 and arranged in element 46 is a spring controlled pivotalLv suspended check valve 41, which is disposed rearwardly of said seat. Operating in the element 46 is a pusher rod 48 for manually shifting valve 41 off of its seat when piston 42 is to be moved towards the outer end of cylinder 45. The controlling spring 48 for valve 41 normally maintains the latter against its seat 41. 'Valve 41 automatically moves off of its seat against the action of its spring 49 when the piston 42 moves towards the rear end of cylinder 45. The pusher rod 48 extends through the branch 46 into the body of element 46 and at its outer end is formed with a head 48. Interposed between head 49 and the outer end of element 46, as well as surrounding the rod 46 is a controlling spring 49 therefon The rod 48 is operated by a lever member 49 which is pivotally connected intermediate its ends, as at 49, to a support 49 depending from the tank 45. The lever member 49 has its lower portion 49 offset to engage the head 48 of the rod 48.

The assembly 2 includes an axle 53 formed with a substantially yoke-shaped intermediate portion 54 and a pair of oppositely disposed end portions 55, 56 extending from the upper ends of the sides of said portion 54. The portions 55, 56 constitute spindles and upon which are mounted the wheels 36, 31 respectively. The normal position of the axle 53 is at a rearward inclination from its bottom to its top whereby the bight of said intermediate portion 54 will be forwardly of said end portions 55, 56." Secured to the top of the bight of the said portion 54 is a set of upstanding parallel spaced posts 51 each formed with a row of spaced superposed diametrically disposed openings 59 intermediate its ends. There is arranged in telescopic relation with respect to the posts 51 a set of upstanding tubular members 59 formed near their lower ends with a pair of diametrically opposed openings 69. The openings 69 of a member 59 are to -70 valve member 44 from off of its seat. The

align with a selected opening 56 of a post 51, and extending through such aligned openings is a headed bolt 69 coacting with a cotter pin 69 for connecting a post 51 to a member 59. This structural arrangement provides for increasing or decreasing the height of the rear assembly 2. The number of posts 51 preferably will be three and this statement applies to the members 59. Secured upon the upper ends of the members 59 is a horizontally disposed tubular connecting bar 6| of a length to extend, as at 62, laterallv from the outer members 59 of the set. The extended portions 62 of the bar 6| are journaled in the sleeves I and are connected tothe latter by the holding means 63. The bar 6|, in connection with the posts 51 and members 59 correlate to constitute a lifting or elevating and lowering means for the front assembly for the purpose of shifting the element 23 to and from active position. The part 54 of axle 53 and the posts 51 form the lower section of the said lifting and lowering means. The

members 59 and bar 6| form the upper section of the said lifting and lowering means. The said upper section is vertically adjustable relative to the said lower section.

The central member of the set of members 58 has secured to its forward face an upstanding strip 64 formed with a row of superposed openings 65. The piston rod 43 has its rear end provided with a yoke 66 for straddling strip 64. The

sides of the yoke 66 are formed with aligned openings for the purpose of aligning with a selected opening 65, and extending through said aligned openings is a removable holdfast means 61 for detachably connecting the piston rod 43 to the rear assembly 2. The strip 64, yoke 66 and holdfast means 61 correlate for adjustably connecting the front assembly I to the rear assembly 2. The outer posts 51 of the set of posts have secured to their forward faces eyes 68 for connecting the rear ends of limit chains 58 to the rear assembly 2. The chains 58 are connected at their forward ends to eyes on the back 24 of element 23. The chains 58 limit the extent of the rearward inclination of inclined structure of the assembly 2.

The central post 51 of the set of posts has secured to the front thereof an apertured lug 68' for correlation with lug 52, on the back 24 of element 23 to detachably connect a safety bar 69 to the assemblies I and 2 for use when transporting the machine on a road or to and from work for maintaining the scraper element 23 clear of the ground.

The blade 25 of the scraper element is to be formed with spaced rows of openings 18 whereby when the lower part of the blade becomes worn it may be adjusted for further use.

Secured to the lower terminal portion of the rear face of the back 24 of the element 23 is a reinforcing member II which extends from one side to the other side of said back and it is arranged above the blade 25. The latter depends from the bottom edge of back 24. Secured at their lower ends to member-1t and extending upwardly therefrom at a rear inclination is a pair of spaced parallel braces 12 which at their upper ends are secured to the lower faces of the portions 5 of the bars 3, 4.

Connected to each of the braces 12 intermediate its ends is a vertically adjustable controlling means for regulating the depth of the bite of element 23 when functioning as a scraper. Each of the said means consist of a wedge shaped member 13 (Figure 11) formed integral with and lengthwise of a carrier 14 of segmental cross section. The carrier 14 is formed with spaced aligned slots 15 disposed lengthwise thereof. Each brace 12 is formed with a pair of aligned spaced openings 16 diametrically thereof for correlation with the slots 15 and headed holdfast devices 11 to provide for the adjusting and the securing of a wedge in its adjusted position. The members 13 are for the purpose of contacting the rear axle when the element 23 is lowered and thus alter the angle and prevent the element 23,

when functioning as a scraper to prevent such element from taking too deep a bite, making it possible to use a smaller tractor even with the same size scraper and this factor will reduce the" number of diflerent sizes of scrapers to be used. The members 13 are removed when the element 23 functions as a ground leveller. The modified form of machine as indicated at B, Figure '6, will be the same construction as form A with the addition of the dolly 2| connected directly to the hitch in lieu of a tractor. The modified form of machine as indicated at C, Figures 8 and 9, is for ground levelling and it provides for a means correlating with the element 23 to increase the width of the levelling action onthe ground. The modified form C will be of the same construction as the form A with the removal of the members 13 from the braces 12 and the addition of a pair of oppositely disposed hinged levelling wings 18 for correlation with the blade 25 and detachably connected to the back 24 of the element 23. The wings 18 are curved, of less height than and conform in curvature to that of the said back 24. Each wing 18 has attached to its back a pair of superposed hinge members 19, 80, which correlate with a hinged member 24, an apertured wing support 8| and a removable pintle 82 for hinging the wing to element 23. The wings 18 are removably connected to the sides of the back 24 of element 23. The supports 8| are secured to the bottom and extend laterally from the ends of the reinforcement 1|. The openings in the supports 8| are indicated at 83. The hinge members 88 of the wings 18 are to seat on the supports 8| when the wings are correlated with element 23 for ground levelling. The wings 18, when in active or extended position have their bottom edges aligned with the lower edge of the blade 25, and are detachably maintained in extended position by a pair of oppositely disposed holding bars 84 of like form detachably connected to the wings and to the sides 26 of the element 23. Each bar 84 consists of an inclined intermediate portion 85 and a pair of end portions 86, 81 disposed at right angles to each other and also at an angle with respect to the portion 85. The endportions 86,-81 are peripherally threaded. The end portion 86 extends through the opening 26 in a side 26 of element 23 and it is detachably connected to said side 26 by a pair of holding nuts 88 engaging with portion 86 and abutting the inner and outer faces of the said side 26. The end portion 81 extends through an opening 89 formed in a wing and it is detachably at an angle and the aforesaid valve closed at any desired position of the wheels, thus the element 23 is lowered to a point of contact with the ground.

.As to raising and lowering element 23; with respect to raising, the operator sets the brakes on the wheels by manipulating the master cylinder and the wheels b'eing braked are drawn back resulting in the lifting of element 23 to any desired height. Since the inclined lifting means on assembly 2 comes back nearer an upright position it acts on assembly I in a manner to raise element 23. The latter may be set at any desired height and maintained in such position by the control 40 after the releasing of the brakes.

The hydraulic pressure control means 40 has secured with its cylinder M a wiping or cleaning means for the piston rod 43 and which consists of a collar 9| fixed to cylinder 4I and a short length of rubber hose 92 encompassing the piston rod 43 and held by the collar. The hose 92 constitutes a cleaner or wiper for rod 43 and prevents the latter frombeing clogged with dirt, as well as prevents the rod 43 carrying dirt into the packing which otherwise would result in a mess. Correlated with the levers 39, 49 are pull rods 93, 94 r spectively therefor. These rods extend forwardly from said levers through the upper end of an upstanding vertically'adjustable supporting structure 95 therefor which is connected at its lower end to the upper end of the hitch I3. The rear ends of the rods 93, 94 are pivotally connected to the levers 39, 49, as at 93, 9! respectively. The rods 93, 94 at their forward ends are provided with handle members 98, 99 respectively arranged forwardly of the structure 95. The latter includes a vertically adjustable standard I formed of an upper and a lower section IOI, I02

respectively. The section I02 is of tubular form.

The section MI is disposed in telescopic relation with respect to section I02. The said sections are formed with superposed spaced openings for selected registry. The standard I00 includes detachable means, indicated at I03 for inserting through the selected aligned openings for releasably holding the standard I00 in its adjusted position. Connected to the upper end of section IOI is a vertically disposed rectangular plate I04 formed with a central opening I05 and a pair of end openings I06, I01 arranged in proximity to the ends thereof. As shown by way of example rod 94 (Figure 13) slidably extends forwardly through the opening I06 and the rod 93 slidably extends forwardly through the opening I06, but the rod 93 may extend through the opening I05 or the rod 94 through the opening I05. The said rods may be moved from right to left to provide for the aforesaid arrangements of the rods thereby enabling the rods to be conveniently pulled by a right hand or left hand operator. The lower end of section IOI is formed with an inverted yoke I 01*- which straddles the upper end of and is fixedly secured to the hitch I3 by the holdfast means I01.

The rods 93, 94 are of like form, with the exception that rod 83 is of greater length than rod 84. Each rod, with reference to Figure 16, is formed of a front and a rear section 93 93 respectively secured together, as at 93. The rear end of section 93 is provided with a yoke 93. The section 93 is formed with spaced notches 94, 94 in its bottom edge. The notch 94 coacts with the edge of an opening in the plate I04 for latching the rod in its inactive position and the notch 94 coacts with said edge for latching the rod in its active position.

The machine includes a weighting means I08 (Figure 17) on the front assembly I for holding the scraper element in the ground to a much better advantage than if such means was not employed. The means I08 consists of aweight I09 in the form of an elongated solid bar of circular cross section. The weight I03 has formed integral therewith two spaced pairs of upstanding spaced parallel threaded members I I0. The portion 5 of frame bar 3 is arranged betweenone pair of members I I0. The portion 5 of frame bar 4 is arranged between the other pair of members IIO. Mounted on the bars 3, 4 are semi-circular suspensions III formed with oppositely disposed apertured lateral flanges II2. A pair of members IIO extend upwardly through the flanges II2 of a suspension III. Threadedly engaging with'the members H0 and bearing against the flanges II2 are clamping nuts II3 which coact with the suspensions III and members IIO for detachably securing the weights I09 to and in suspended relation with respect to the frame bars 3, 4 of the assembly I in proximity to the top of the back of the scraper element.

The blade 25 preferably will extend one and one-quarter inches beyond the lower end of the back 24 of element 23 and by virtue of the upper row of openings in the blade, the latter may be extended an additional one and one-quarter inches, thus giving a total wearing surface of two and one-half inches.

The radius of the back 24 of element 23 is approximately eighteen degrees to affect a. proper angle of blade when the latter is secured to the said back 24,

The hitch is adjustable for tractors. g I

The angle or height at which the lifting and lowering means, provided by the assembly 2, extends from the wheels may be altered by raising or lowering the rear end of piston rod 43 at its connecting point with the said means.

The valve mechanism 46 of the control 40 is termed a primary control valve and the valve mechanism 44 a secondary control valve. The upper end terminal portion 4.4 of the lever arm 44 is disposed in the forward part of the operating lever 39* for the brake cylinder 35. The said secondary control valve functions in the following manner: when the brakes are applied, the secondary control valve is held open by means of the lever 39 contacting with and shifting forwardly the lever arm 44 on the application of the brakes and it permits of the wheels to roll to a rearward position. Thepurpose of this extra control is to carry the weight of the wheels and lift arm assembly while loading. As the scraper element lowers into the ground it picks up dirt until the resistance becomes great enough to raise the machine somewhat. As the machine raises, the extra control holds the wheels off the ground until the brake lever is applied which opens the secondary control valve at the same time, permitting of the wheels to drop to the ground and raise the machine. The secondary control and carrying the wheels while loading is to permit the loading to a greater capacity of the machine. The secondary control provides whereby the wheels can be blocked in any position while loading; further said control is needed when the machine is being used in plowed ground, to prevent the wheels from rolling back before the machine begins to load.

What I claim is:

1. In an earth surfacing machine, a horizontally disposed frame-like front assembly, an upstanding angularly adjustable mobile frame-like rear assembly pivotally connected at its upper end to and depending from the rear end of the front assembly, an upstanding strip secured to the front of the rear assembly centrally of the latter and formed with a lengthwise row of spaced openings, a control structure for said rear assembly adapted to be connected at selected points of the latter, said control structure arvarious heights of ranged over said front assembly intermediate the ends of the latter and including a rearwardly directed reciprocatory piston rod having its rear end formed with a yoke straddling said strip,

- the arms of said yoke having aligned openings for registering with a selected opening of said row, means extending through said registering openings for detachably connecting said rod to said strip, a rearwardly tilted cradle pivotally supported from said front assembly intermediate the ends of the latter, and means for connecting said control structure to said cradle.

1. In an earth surfacing machine, a horizontally disposed front assembly of frame-like form, a ground working element suspended from said assembly at a point between the transverse median and the front end of such assembly and including a back, a forwardly and rearwardly angularly adjustable upstanding mobile rear assembly of frame-like form pivotally connected at its upper end to the rear end of front assembly, a control structure for said rear assembly, means for adjustably connecting said structure to the front of the rear assembly centrally of the latter,

a pair of spaced parallel upstanding supporting means extending from the top of the back of said element up through said front assembly, a cradle arranged between and pivotally suspended from the upper ends of said supporting means, and means for securing the said structure to, within, and disposed in parallel relation with respect to said cradle.

3. In an earth surfacing machine, a horizontally disposed front assembly of frame-like form including parallel spaced side members, a ground working elementsuspended from said assembly intermediate the ends of the latter, an upstanding forwardly and rearwardly angularly adjustable mobile rear assembly pivotally connected at its upper end to the rear end of the front assembly and including an axle at its lower portion, spaced parallel braces extending upwardly at a rearward inclination from said element to said side members, said braces being fixed to said element and members, and vertically adjustable wedge-shaped controlling means secured to said braces for riding against said axle to alter the angle of and to prevent said element from taking a too deep bite in the ground when such element is lowered.

4. In an earth surfacing machine, a front as-' sembly including a pair of longitudinal side bars and a longitudinal inner bar of less length than the length of the side bars, each of said bars including a rear straight portion merging into a downwardly inclined front portion, the straight portion of the inner bar being of less length than and having its rear end spaced forwardly of the rear ends of the straight portions of the side bars, said straight portions disposed in parallel spaced relation, the front portions of the side bars inclining toward and connected to the front portion of the inner bar, a horizontal bar arranged below the other bars, secured to the straight portions of said bars and extending laterally in opposite directions from said side bars, a horizontal reinforcing member arranged below, secured to and extending laterally in opposite directions from the straight portions of said side bars, a ground working element including a back and a pair of sides, said back of said element being secured at its upper end to said reinforcing member, and said sides of said element having their inner faces secured against the ends of said horizontal bar.

5. In an earth surfacing machine, a front assembly including a pair of longitudinal side bars and a longitudinal inner bar of less length than the length of the side bars, each of said bars including a rear straight portion merging into a downwardly inclined front portion, the straight portion of the inner bar being of less length than and having its rear end spaced forwardly of the rear ends of the straight portion of the side bars, said straight portions disposed in parallel spaced relation, the front portions of the side bars inclining toward and connected to the front portion of the inner bar, a horizontal bar arranged below the other bars, secured to the straight portions of said bars and extending laterally in opposite directions from said side bars, a horizontal reinforcing member arranged below, secured to and extending laterally in opposite directions from the straight portions of said side bars, a ground working element including a back and a pair of sides, said back of said element being secured at its upper end to said reinforcing member, saidsides of said element having their inner faces secured against the ends of said horizontal bar, and inclined bracing means between the inclined front portions of the side bars and a the sides of said element.

6. In an earth surfacing machine of that type having a front assembly provided with a ground working element, the combination of an axle having a substantially yoke-shaped intermediate portion, a traction wheel mounted on the axle adjacent the upper end of each side of an arm of said intermediate portion, a plurality of spaced parallel upstanding lower members secured at their lower ends to the bight of said intermediate portion, a series of vertically adjustable tubular upper members disposed in telescopic relation with respect to and adjustable relative to said lower members, means coacting with said upper and lower members for detachably securing the upper members in adjusted position, a bar secured to the upper ends of the upper members and disposed parallel to and of greater length than the width of said intermediate portion and adapted to be pivotally mounted at its ends on the rear end of the front assembly.

7. In an earth surfacing machine, a front assembly including a ground working element, an upstanding angularly adjustable mobile rear assembly pivotally mounted at its upper end on the rear end of said front assembly and including coacting parts for adjusting it lengthwise and for retaining it in its adjusted position, said front assembly including means for connection to selected points of the front of the rear assembly for angularly adjusting the rear assembly rela tive to the front assembly, means for varying the points of connection between the said first mentioned means and said rear assembly, and braking means carried by said assemblies for cor relation with the rear assembly to arrest the traction of the latter.

8. In an earth surfacing machine, a front assembly including a ground working element, an upstanding angularly adjustable mobile rear assembly pivotally mounted at its upper end on the rear end of said front assembly and including coacting parts for adjusting it lengthwise and for retaining it in its adjusted position, said front assembly including means for connection to selected points of the front of the rear assembly for angularly adjusting the rear assembly relative to the front assembly, means for varying the points of connection between the said first mentioned means and said rear assembly, braking means carried by said assemblies for correlation with the rear assembly to arrest the traction of the latter, and suspended adjustable means disposed below the rear portion of the front assembly between the said element and the rear assembly and correlating with the latter for altering the angle of and preventing said element from taking a too deep bite in the ground when the element is lowered.

9. In an earth surfacing machine, a front assembly including a ground working element, an upstanding angularly and lengthwise adjustable mobile rear assembly pivotally mounted at its upper end on the rear end of said front assembly, a pivoted cradle disposed lengthwise of and carried by said front assembly, a controllable angularly adjusting means for said rear assembly fixed to said cradle and operated from the front of the front assembly, means for connecting said adjusting means to selected points of the front'of the rear assembly, and :braking means for said rear assembly carried by the said assemblies and operated from the front of the front assembly.

FRITZ JOHNSON. 

